When I was eight years old my sister and I led a hike in upstate New York. It the first the time I remember hiking, although we spent plenty of time playing in the woods behind our house. We ended up in the dump. Despite the smell, I love hiking.
So, last year my husband and I started to take our preschoolers on hikes. On our first trip we decided on San Antonio Park in Mountain View, Calif. It is a very accessible park with tennis courts, and a hillside where people fly kites. It is also so popular that parking is scarce. After our first well intentioned visit, we left without a parking space, we discovered almost by accident
Sanborn County Park in Saratoga, Calif.
Sanborn is a very special park. First it includes 3,688 acres of wooded land and trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It reminds me a little of Big Basin State Park, but without the crowds. Second it has a fabulous nature trail that is perfect for preschoolers. It is short, but not paved. There are large tree caves, and magical bridges to cross. The boys love hiking there.
We don't go as much as I'd like, but every two months or so we go for a hike at Sanborn Park. The boys run ahead of us on the trail squealing. We stop and listen to the wind rustling in the trees. We take a look in the pond, and we try to find fish in the creek. We play in an old hallowed out tree. In short we have a relaxing adventure, and commune with nature.
No comments:
Post a Comment